Burning Paradise: A Comparative Study of Agha Shahid Ali’s Poetry and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider: 2394-207X IMPACT FACTOR: 4.205 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIFACETED AND MULTILINGUAL STUDIES (original) (raw)

Kashmir has become the perpetual battleground over the issue of possession between India and Pakistan. In the tug o war, both the sides have claimed the legal ownership on the land. People of Kashmir have become the citizens of 'no man's land'. Unrelenting violence, proxy war, terrorism, PoK, questions of Kashmiri Pundits, Kashmiri Muslims, and harsh realities of life in the heaven can be compared to Pandora's Box where people are just searching for their selves, their identity, peace in the valley; those who have migrated or were forcefully evacuated are in exile – physical and mental. Kashmir as a commodity is matter of debate. But those living human beings, the youth, the mothers, the fathers, sisters, brothers, children are dwelling in the country without 'post office', without any address, without any communication and any hopes of redemption. Agha Shahid Ali in his poetry and Vishal Bhardwaj in his feature film Haider have at length expressed their concerns for Kashmir from different perspectives. This paper is an attempt to compare these two different genres of artistic expression in respect of treatment given to Kashmir into their creative genius. These beautiful lines underscore the beauty and bounty of Kashmir in yester generations. But in course of continent's history, Kashmir has undergone many changes, political and religious phases. Kashmir was paradise on the earth in respect of its geographical picturesque landscape and communal harmony where Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims co-existed in strong bonds of brotherhood. The idyllic beauty and lyrical scenery of Kashmir has inspired poets, artists to sing praises for it in their creative works. Kashmiriyat is often a synonym used for the composite culture that was prevalent in Kashmir. Kashmiriyat has infused the admixture of Hindu and Islamic religious, cultural and musical traditions. It weaved the strong fabric of Hindu-Muslim bonding, communal harmony and socio-religious coexistence in Kashmir. But in course of time political greed and lust for power has paved discord in religious harmony. It disturbed the socio-cultural texture of Kashmir. Now, Kashmir has become the perpetual battleground over the issue of possession between India and Pakistan. In the tug o war, both the sides have claimed the legal ownership on the land. People of Kashmir have become the citizens of 'no man's land'. Unrelenting violence, proxy war, terrorism, PoK, questions of Kashmiri Pandits, Kashmiri Muslims, and harsh realities of life in the heaven can be compared to Pandora's Box where people are just searching for their selves, their identity, peace in the valley; those who have migrated or were forcefully evacuated are in exile – physical and mental.